Research and analysis

Use and harms of xylazine, medetomidine and detomidine

Review of the evidence on the use and harms of xylazine, medetomidine and detomidine.

Documents

A review of the evidence on the use and harms of xylazine

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Cover letter

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Details

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was commissioned to give advice on the appropriate classification and scheduling of xylazine under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This followed an ACMD self-commissioned review of its harms.

This report reviews the evidence of use and the harms of xylazine in the UK and considers whether it should be controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Evidence of Illicit use in the UK of the related compounds medetomidine and detomidine was also sought, as this has been reported in other countries.

The report provides recommendations for the classification and scheduling of xylazine, following a thorough review of the evidence available.

Published 16 February 2024
Last updated 23 February 2024 + show all updates
  1. Accessible versions added.

  2. First published.